Boards

Apologies to ht27 but I’m just so enthusiastic today for obvious reasons, (for the people that know I’m a Chelsea fan anyway).

Excellent performance by Chelsea last night, for the most part, although I was quite worried when Liverpool equalised and started having all of the pressure.
Two great finishes from Drogba, Benitez may be wishing he hadn’t slated him before the match for his diving. Lampard scores a penalty after Hyypia brings Ballack down, and it was a penalty, I was so relieved at this point because I was still fuming about the disallowed Essien strike.

People make their own conversation on these threads, there was a great thread the other day that was started by someone that had a title post with only a small amount of detail. It was actually longer and more interesting than the ht27 football threads.

the corporate league for glorified also-rans, the REAL football story of the season pads out today...at 5pm Leeds United find out whether or not their appeal against the Football League's decision to deduct 15 points has been successful or not.
If so, expect ramifications of Bosman-esque proportions, and more law suits from the likes of Forest, Carlisle, Doncaster and Swansea.

that none are rewarded to them, cause otherwise its a fucking travesty. Still, the East Midlands football league sideshows have been a godsend since our season finished at Wembley all that time ago.... I still can't decide if I want Leicester relegated or not. I think not, but only cause I like Ian Holloway.

for getting a bit annoyed about the coverage of Frank Lampard's mothers death and subsequent stories such as todays 'For You Mum' headlines? Sympathies to him and his family of course but that kind of thing just bugs me.

Anyway, fantastic game, genuinely surprised there were no tears from Lampard when he score and that must've been a weird mix of emotions for him, still wanted Riise to score a equalising winner at some stage to bring it all full circle.

I do however fear a dull final now after that, Liverpool are at least usually fun to watch in a chaos/brilliance/chaos/brillaince kind of way.

today. If it's still going on tomorrow and beyond, It'll be a bit getting a bit much. I've got the utmost respect for Lampard over this and it's worthy of mention given his personal circumstances, but it's got all the hallmarks of potentially being dragged out until the end of the season...

I've no beef with Lampard, the press swarming over such things is my issue. Andy Gray and Jamie Redknapp saying they feel happy for the lad is ok as well, but emblazoning the front of every tabloid with it just seems like bad taste.

and your fans, probably deserved it from what I heard though I was busy getting dreadful servuce in a shit restaurant keeping up on a ten year old WAP programme thanks to a friend's engagement party. Would have been watching Raef anyway though.

Mr Galactic, you don't have to be so defensive and reply to everyone's post if you make a footie thread by the way.

Oh, and you missed something pretty important in the football world today too. Leeds judgment day...

Not that it matters all that much. Carlisle have approximately zero chance of the automatic spot now and our relegation form means a likely drubbing from any of the other play-off sides. Our form against them in the last month- Played 3, Lost 3 should be a fair enough marker.

That is an interesting story though I just read domgourlay's post above. I hope Leeds don't get the decision because I have a slightly irrational hate for them. Chelsea and Leeds have never mixed well, our games end up as fights rather than matches. :)

are being released as they don't want to play for the club anymore. And who can blame them. There was fawning coverage of Gary Barry's involvement on the local news last night. Just made me sad to watch the players celebrating the title win knowing whats happened since.

as Staines first give AFC Wimbledon a ticket allocation of 1500 for the playoff final, then reduce it to 1000 several hours later (after they've already started selling).

Threats of contacting the police over the issue may or may not have been followed up with action, while complaints are being addressed to the Ryman league as to why a home playoff final wasn't played at a neutral ground with a larger capacity.

that Sky have put Arsenal-Everton on live against the final Championship game of the season? Sky presumably paid a bit for the league rights, and all year they've been trying their best to schedule them against Premiership football. This time it's the most important game of the season and it's not even being used as a Setanta spoiler.

ideas above his station really. he threatened to leave when we won at wembley, i don't blame him for our plight though.

If Jewell achieves with us what he did with Wigan (less money but better facilities, twice as many fans etc etc) then i have to be happy! even though i quite like the thought of one year scrapping in a competitive league, then one year of abject misery. really makes you appreciate the good times.

as i consoled my Liverpool supporting friend last night, all i could think to say was "At least you've got more than 11 points" ... "You're not helping Steve"

I hate having to make excuses to defend my teams dull defensive performances but I haven't had to the last couple of games.

Essien's goal should have stood, the ref/linesman must have judged that the 2 offside Chelsea players were interfeering with play, which they wern't Reina had a perfect view. I was angry, fortunately we didn't sulk about it and won a penalty a couple of minutes later.

helped the issue either. Not sure what was wrong with offside in the mid-90s that needed changing, but the current version doesn't work at all... no-one ever knows if a player in an "offside position" is actually offside or not.

this is the worst start to a football thread EVER, I want to make a point.

I have never professed to liking Frank Lampard. But last night, when he scored, I was delighted for him. I thought it was a genuinely moving moment, and I cheered and applauded (something which I never thought I would do for Chelsea). So well done Frank, you deserve it.

What happened last night transcends petty footballing rivalries. The mans mother died, he showed a lot of bravery even to play, let alone take the penalty, and he was overcome with emotion when he scored. It was a touching moment.

and am obviously delighted. We were good first half, terrible second half, brilliant in first period of extra time and chaotic in the second.

I don't know what Avram says to his players at half time, but this is the second game in a row where we have come out after the break,completely flopped and only roused ourselves after letting the opponents back in.

When Frank scored half the stand were bawling their eyes out.

Liverpool played the price for their lack of ambition and negativity- once they got the equaliser we were there for the taking and they preferred to play for penalties instead.

And for me, last night dispelled any thoughts that Liverpool supporters are in any way 'special'. Aside from five minutes after Torres goal, there wasn't a peep out of them all evening. They just stood there in the rain looking glum.

which will no doubt lead to a summer of speculation of a takeover at Arsenal. Also the deadline Wenger imposed for Flamini to sign a contract has passed with nothing looking done, so it looks like he will be off for the Summer. Fair play to the lad he was almost playing for Birmingham this season.

looking pretty empty at the minute as we never replaced Dein either. As long as Usmanov doesn't get near the boardroom it'll be alright but i ssuspect he'll take his share level up to the blocking level this summer.

First of all, well done to chelsea - they had a lot of the fortune this time around, but Liverpool have done in previous ties. I guess it all comes around, or something like that. I could also mention that Chelsea were superior over both ties - the best team won.

Quite frustrated to be deprived of what'd be the biggest match of my lifetime (I can't think of anything in my 17 years of existence that would have compared) - but the final will nonetheless be an interesting affair, especially with Chelski gunning for the league too.

I'll be supporting Chelsea in the final as I consider them to be a morally superior squad (obviously Drogba and a few others are disguisting), I've always liked Shevchenko (following Ukraine internationally), and I really like Avram - for him to do what Mourinho (*spits*) couldn't really would be amazing.

I just can't believe Liverpool though, it's so cruel, and there's no thrill like following them in the league. I almost wish Babel hadn't've scored because it just makes it so much worse.

And I'm still really frustrated because I think Liverpool were stupid to give it away.

Right, I'm off to go get some ice because my hand is all swollen from punching the wall. I'm obviously really really clever and really really hard.

as nobody can rest players really and gain an advantage, and it'll be two full strength teams (hopefully). Plus I genuinely don't know if we'll beat Chelsea or not, wheras I'd be pretty confident with Liverpool after the two games this season, even with their luck in this comp.

I like Rafa. Sometimes he's livid, its usually justified, but there's a reasonable amount of dignity to the big guy. I'll miss him and Sven if they're got rid off by their respective clubs. Almost as much as I miss Jose and Martin. Punch him Martin! Punch him!